Ortiz: Taking next steps toward returning

FORT MYERS, Fla. – Moments after participating in a series of agility drills, David Ortiz said his recovery from an injured right Achilles remains on target, with his activities gradually increasing.

Ortiz wouldn’t give any firm date as to when he might enter spring training games, reiterating the priority remains to be ready for Opening Day.

“I’d like to be in a game tomorrow. No question. Just being smart, not trying to rush,” he said. “I got another six weeks still. They want to make sure that when I’m in, there’s no bounce-back. No setback.”

The designated hitter said that while there has been some discomfort after various exercises, it is a “good sore,” and concern regarding any sort of tear has disappeared.

“Every injury, it doesn’t matter what it is, it doesn’t matter what kind it is, you have to go through a program, through the [disabled list], that place you got injured, treatment, things like that,” he said. “I’ll be good to go. You know, the last MRI we had, my Achilles was normal, just like the other one. I just have a little bit of calcification down there, which is going away, it seems like because of the things I’m able to do. Hopefully it’s not an issue later on.

Ortiz added, “A tear is not the case anymore because that little tear I had is gone because of all the things I did this offseason. Like I say, in the picture, my Achilles look normal, like a brand new Achilles. It’s good that we never went in there and did any cut or anything like that. It just heeled up because of all the processes we went through this offseason. I’m not afraid of that. If I’m afraid I wouldn’t be doing what I’m doing. If you have any fears, any bad move you make it would snap. So that’s not my concern anymore. Things will be fine.”

Red Sox manager John Farrell said Thursday that he estimates Ortiz would need two weeks of games to prepare for the season. The DH totaled 66 plate appearances last spring training, after managing 67 the year before.

The other middle-of-the-order hitter being held out, Mike Napoli (hips), is schedule to run the bases Sunday. The exercise would be a prelude to see game action next week.

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